Bollywood takes IPL head-on!

By Hindustan Times

The Indian cricket team’s dismal performance in England and Australia may have left fans shattered, but it has left Bollywood smiling. Unlike the first four seasons of the big-ticket Indian Premier League, which saw most movie releases delayed, the upcoming season, to be held from April 4-May 27,
will see a face-off with at least eleven big budget flicks worth Rs 350-Rs 400 crore releasing.

“Team India’s recent shows have triggered a repulsion — audiences are not interested in watching cricket. The release of big-budget movies during IPL this year is a conscious call, beating the trend of the last four years. Close to Rs 350-Rs 400 crore is riding on these movies. Producers have faith that the IPL won’t be to able to steal eyeballs from them,” says trade expert Joginder Tuteja.

Housefull 2Among the releases that clash with the mega sporting event are Housefull 2, Bittoo Boss and Tezz.

Distributor Joginder Mahajan says, “Our team has lost its sheen. There is no fun in watching matches anymore, unlike movies.”

Producers and multiplexes are upbeat. “We have scheduled Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum for April-May and are confident of our film regardless of IPL … There has been an excess of cricket happening and producers have now realised that if the content is good, it can work any time,” says Girish Johar, distribution and acquisition head, Balaji Motion Pctures.

“The way the Indian team suffered in Australia goes to show clearly that IPL won’t see that craze this year. We won’t even telecast live matches like we did, earlier. Bollywood will dominate this IPL in multiplexes,” says Yogesh Raizada of Wave Cinemas.